AvantiGas has strengthened employee safety and improved breathing-air compliance at its LPG vessel refurbishment facility near Bury St Edmunds with the installation of an
Atlas Copco BAP+ breathing‑air purifier. The unit, supplied and commissioned by
Maziak, a branch of Atlas Copco Compressors, provides consistent breathing‑air quality that meets the requirements of BS EN 12021. Maziak specialises in compressed-air and industrial‑gas systems and supports manufacturing and processing sites across the region.
The refurbishment process involves shot blasting and repainting LPG vessels for re‑use. Operators working inside the shot‑blast booth typically wear air‑fed blast helmets for extended periods, making reliable air purity essential. Although AvantiGas had historically achieved compliance through quarterly breathing‑air testing, recent data showed increasing variability. This prompted a review of the site’s filtration system.
Richard Ford, who oversees operations at AvantiGas, said: “Over time we saw carbon dioxide levels edging closer to the upper threshold, even after changing filter cartridges and making adjustments. We needed a solution that would provide a consistent result at every test, not just for a short period after maintenance. Our priority was ensuring that the operator in the blast bay could put the helmet on each day knowing the air they were breathing met the correct standard.”
Mr Ford continued: “Following an on‑site assessment, Maziak recommended the installation of an Atlas Copco BAP+ purifier. The system is specifically designed to remove oil vapour, moisture, particulates, fumes and gases from compressed air through a multi‑stage process incorporating coalescing filtration, desiccant drying and catalytic conversion. The purifier was integrated into the site’s existing compressed‑air system, with Maziak managing installation and commissioning.”
He added: “The installation was well handled. Communication was clear, everything was explained, and the engineers worked neatly and professionally. We had complete confidence in the handover process. The impact on air quality was immediate. The first breathing‑air test carried out after installation recorded a CO₂ reading of 0 ppm, with subsequent tests remaining well below the maximum allowable limit. The outcome was beyond what we anticipated. The consistency since then has given us a level of assurance that we simply did not have before.”
Stable performanceUnlike basic inline filtration packs, the BAP+ provides stable performance regardless of fluctuations in ambient conditions or workload. Its staged purification process, combined with onboard monitoring, helps eliminate the variation often seen between quarterly test intervals. This gives the site a dependable and repeatable level of air purity without relying on frequent cartridge changes.
Paul Stanton, area sales manager at Maziak, said: “Breathing air compliance is critical in shot blasting environments. When we reviewed the test data and looked at the operating conditions on site, it was clear that a more robust purification system was the right long-term solution. The BAP+ provides repeatable performance and gives AvantiGas confidence that the air feeding the operator’s helmet meets the required standard every time.”
AvantiGas continues to carry out quarterly breathing‑air tests as part of its compliance regime and routinely checks the BAP+ system indicators to monitor performance. The unit provides clear visual alerts for service intervals and any changes in operating conditions, enabling issues to be addressed before they affect air purity. Daily checks are now included in the blast‑bay inspection routine to ensure ongoing consistency.
Mr Ford acknowledged the value of the long‑standing relationship with Maziak: “We have worked with Maziak for many years and they have always been responsive, thorough and easy to deal with. The ongoing support gives us confidence that our breathing air set‑up will remain compliant and well maintained.”
The installation forms part of AvantiGas’s wider commitment to safe working practices wherever compressed air is used for respiratory protection. As refurbishment volumes have increased, the company has continued to invest in equipment, monitoring systems and testing processes to ensure that safety standards keep pace with operational demand. The introduction of the BAP+ adds an additional layer of assurance by providing a stable, certified breathing‑air supply that is not dependent on favourable environmental conditions or frequent filter changes.